TfL’s cleaning contract with ABM (2)

Elly Baker: You have asked TfL to review its cleaning contract with ABM, including an assessment of extending the free travel cleaners receive whilst at work to their journeys to and from work. Can you provide details on when this review will take place, the terms of reference and if you will publish the review when it is complete?

The Mayor: I have asked Transport for London (TfL) to review its cleaning contract with ABM and TfL is currently developing what the review will cover and its approach. One of the key aims of the review will be to ensure that TfL can continue to provide a safe environment for its customers whilst delivering an affordable service.
TfL’s cleaners have free travel during working hours in support of them being best able to undertake their usual duties around the network and in TfL’s offices. The review will also establish the impact of potentially providing travel to our cleaners when they are not at work.
Since the ABM contact began in 2017, significant improvements have been made under ABM’s contract including the provision that all cleaners are paid the London Living Wage, and there has been an increase in the proportion of staff employed directly by ABM in relation to agency staff.
TfL aim to have the review completed later this year.

A24/CS7

Leonie Cooper: Many local businesses are still concerned with the changes that have taken place on the A24. Can the Mayor update me on what more is being done to help businesses deal with the changes?

The Mayor: Transport for London (TfL) upgraded Cycle Superhighway 7 (CS7) as part of its response to the coronavirus pandemic. The measures taken were designed to encourage people to find new ways to travel as part of the recovery from the pandemic, helping to create more space for people to safely walk and cycle and to enable social distancing on public transport for those who needed to use it. CS7 has long been a popular cycling route, but it lacked some of the features, such as segregation and bypasses at bus stops, which we know are valued by less experienced cyclists to enable them to undertake more trips by bike on busier roads.
The CS7 route is a strategic cycling corridor which follows the Northern Line from Colliers Wood to Elephant and Castle with cycle connections onwards to the City of London. The improvements were designed to make cycling a more attractive choice and help reduce crowding on public transport services.
Concerns raised by businesses such as parking on High Street Colliers Wood and banned movements further north on the A24, are being reviewed by TfL and, where needed, changes will be made to the measures. We have already removed wands and reinstated loading bays on Balham High Street between Trinity Road and Trinity Crescent. We continue to listen, people are welcome to contact us on [emailprotected] to raise their concerns.

ULEZ Expansion (3)

Emma Best: In total, how many additional cameras does TfL believe will be required for the expansion of the ULEZ?

The Mayor: The information you are requesting is in the public domain and can be found at https://tfl.gov.uk/info-for/media/press-releases/2020/august/major-milestone-for-ulez-as-installation-of-new-infrastructure-gets-underway
Approximately 750 new cameras will need to be installed to enforce the Ultra Low Emission Zone effectively. This number could change in the lead up to scheme launch.
To reduce the number of additional sites required, Transport for London is prioritising cameras at locations already used to monitor traffic, on existing lamp columns and on traffic signals.

Increased Pollution on Park Lane

Tony Devenish: In the light of the road changes you introduced in May 2020, a great many of my constituents are complaining about increased pollution on Park Lane. Is TfL aware of this reduction in air quality and what plans have you put in place to deal with it?

The Mayor: As a result of my policies to tackle London’s toxic air pollution, including introducing the Ultra-Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) in central London in 2019 and cleaning up our bus and taxi fleets, concentrations of harmful nitrogen dioxide (NO2) have dramatically improved across Westminster. It is important to note that monitoring sites in Westminster show similar concentrations for NO2 across 2020 and 2021.
Park Lane does not have an air quality monitor installed. Local air quality monitoring is the responsibility of the London boroughs. However, Park Lane is one of the central London ULEZ boundary roads. There are four established air quality monitoring stations on the central London ULEZ boundary roads, and all of these have measured a continued downward trend in concentrations since 2017. No sites on the boundary roads have experienced an increase in the trend of monthly average NO2 since the scheme was introduced in April 2019. From October 2021, Park Lane will be within the extended ULEZ zone and will benefit further from higher emission standards across larger areas of London.

ULEZ Expansion (2)

Emma Best: How much has TfL budgeted to spend by October 2021 on the expansion of the ULEZ?

The Mayor: Transport for London has budgeted for the estimated cost to implement the expanded Ultra Low Emission Zone being between£120-£130m. This cost includes improved access to public transport, staffingand the signs, cameras andback officesystems needed to make the scheme operational.The Mayor and Transport for Londonhave sought todeliver the infrastructure needed to operate the scheme in the most cost-effective way possible.

Economic Impact of the ULEZ Extension

Shaun Bailey: What work have you undertaken to assess the economic impact of the extension of the ULEZ?

The Mayor: Transport for London commissioned Jacobs to carry out an integrated impact assessment (IIA) of the expansion of the ULEZ, including analysing economic impacts. The IIA report was published as part of the consultation which ran from November 2017 to February 2018 and can be found on the TfL website here: https://consultations.tfl.gov.uk/environment/air-quality-consultation-phase-3b/user_uploads/integrated-impact-assessment.pdf.

CS8

Leonie Cooper: The wands opposite the end of Culvert Road have mostly been removed at my request, but can the remaining wands be removed and the time-limited parking be reinstated, to assist the SMEs in the parade of shops?

The Mayor: Transport for London (TfL) is committed to carefully monitoring the experimental scheme along Battersea Park Road and York Road and will make further changes if necessary. TfL is engaging with local businesses to ensure that the loading provision is sufficient to meet their needs without putting the safety of people walking and cycling at risk. In addition, a six-month consultation on the scheme will be launched in June, and local residents and businesses will be encouraged to let TfL know their experiences of the scheme. TfL will then make any further changes to the scheme based on all relevant factors including the safety of road users.
Evidence from across London, the UK and around the world consistently points to the economic benefits for small businesses of prioritising walking and cycling over car parking. This evidence base has been published on the TfL website here: https://content.tfl.gov.uk/walking-cycling-economic-benefits-summary-pack.pdf

ULEZ Expansion (5)

Emma Best: How many ULEZ cameras will be within the expanded zone?

The Mayor: Approximately 750 new cameras will need to be installed to enforce the expanded Ultra Low Emission Zone effectively. This is described in the answer to Question No: 2021/1932.

Accessibility

Leonie Cooper: Many constituents with disabilities have expressed concern that the improvements to tube stations to improve accessibility have stalled. Can you update me on the timescales for station improvements?

The Mayor: Work continues to make further stations step-free as part of the London Underground Accessibility programme. Ickenham is now step-free and Osterley, Harrow-on-the-Hill, Sudbury Hill and Wimbledon Park stations are scheduled for completion by the end of 2021.
In addition to this, new step-free stations will open at Battersea Power Station and Nine Elms as part of the Northern Line Extension, when it opens in autumn this year. Ealing Broadway became step-free this year in preparation for the Elizabeth line, with Whitechapel going step-free later in the year. Knightsbridge station is due to become step-free in summer 2022 and TfL is also looking to provide step-free access to the Bakerloo line platforms at Paddington by mid-2022.
Step-free schemes at Burnt Oak, Northolt and Hanger Lane, which were scheduled to be delivered this year,have regrettably been paused and are pending further discussions with the Government on the funding support that Transport for London needs following the devastating impact of coronavirus on its finances.
In addition, schemes at Boston Manor, North Ealing, Park Royal, Rickmansworth, Ruislip and Snaresbrook, which were scheduled to be made step-free in 2024, are also paused until appropriate funding can be identified. We continue to work with stakeholders and developers to explore options for funding further work at these and other locations across our network, as well as to ensure the safeguarding is in place while these long-term funding options are identified.

Logistics for London

Tony Devenish: What actions will you be taking in response to the recommendations in Logistics UK's "Logistics for London" report, in order to improve London’s air quality, reduce greenhouse emissions, improve road safety and to boost London's economy?

The Mayor: My officers work closely with Logistics UK and my Deputy Mayor for Environment met with them in June to discuss this topic. Transport for London’s Freight and Servicing Action Plan sets out a combination of measures that support safe, clean and efficient freight. There are many actions across these themes that align to the recommendations in Logistics UK’s report.
Ongoing actions include introducing the world’s first Direct Vision Standard for Heavy Goods Vehicles, the Construction Logistics and Community Safety scheme and the Fleet Operator Recognition Scheme. Plans to support clean freight include measures to switch to ultra-low and zero emission vehicles, reducing freight emissions and encouraging a mode shift from road to water and rail. Finally, measures to improve freight efficiency and support our city’s economy include consolidation trials, real-time road management for freight, plans to reduce the impact of the construction supply chain, further promoting retiming and encouraging consumer behaviour change.

Memorialising Crossrail Deaths

Keith Prince: Following up on (a) your responses to questions 2018/2614 and 2018/2991 in autumn 2018 and (b) the Transport Commissioner’s recent announcement of his intention to build a memorial to London Transport Workers who had “given up their lives for the travelling public” as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic (https://www.standard.co.uk/news/london/tfl-staff-jab-priority-69-die-cov...), will you now commit TfL to ensuring that a suitable memorial is designed and placed at a public point along the Elizabeth Line to highlight that three cyclists and one pedestrian were killed by lorries working under contract to Crossrail during its construction?

The Mayor: My thoughts remain with the friends and families of Maria Karsa, Brian Holt, Ted Wood and Claire Hitier-Abadie, all of whom tragically lost their lives following collisions with lorries involved in the construction of Crossrail. Transport for London (TfL) remains committed to exploring a memorial once the Elizabeth line opens.
In the meantime, TfL and I are as focused as ever on eradicating these tragedies. My Vision Zero Action Plan sets out a series of measures for how we can overcome road danger, including TfL’s world-first Direct Vision Standard lorry safety scheme. This is now in operation 24/7 across all of London’s roads and, by reducing lethal HGV blind spots, will help to improve road safety and save lives.

King’s Cross Gyratory

Anne Clarke: For many years, Camden and Islington councils have been pressing for safety improvements to the King's Cross gyratory, ever since the terrible death of Central Saint Martin's student Deep Lee in 2011. TfL have said they are preparing safety changes, but these could take another three years to implement. Now that cycle lanes are in place on Gray's Inn Road, York Way, and Euston Road, can TfL consider speeding up the joining-together of this safe space for cycling - so that people can move between these roads safely across the King's Cross gyratory?

The Mayor: I share Camden and Islington’s desire to make the Kings Cross area less traffic dominated and safer for people walking and cycling. I’m also proud of the work done by both councils and TfL since the start of the pandemic - that you note in your question - to improve the cycling network through this part of London.
Following the tragic death of Ms Deep Lee in October 2011, Transport for London (TfL) delivered a cycle safety scheme that provided cycle lanes on key arms of the Grays Inn Road / Euston Road junction and a controlled cycle crossing to connect cyclists on Grays Inn with York Way.
In 2016 TfL consulted on preliminary proposals to replace the King’s Cross gyratory systems with two-way working, but due to the impacts and uncertainties of the HS2 construction programme, including the removal of traffic lanes from Euston Road, TfL have not been able to progress with this project at this time.
Instead, TfL is undertaking a rolling programme of smaller safety improvements across the area. The first phase at Dukes Road / Churchway was delivered in 2020, providing controlled pedestrian crossings, advanced cycle stop lines, and a banned turning movement from Euston Road into Churchway. TfL also completed an important scheme at Judd Street & Midland Road, providing a safe crossing over Euston Road – part of Cycleway 6 - for people cycling and much improved pedestrian crossings.
TfL is working on proposals for improvements at the junction of Euston Road and Grays Inn Road, the junction of Pentonville Road and Kings Cross Road, and the junction of Grays Inn Road and Euston Road. A 20mph speed limit is also being planned for the area. Linking up the new cycle lanes into a safe and coherent network is an important part of this work.
TfL is progressing these projects as quickly as possible given the constraints of its limited short-term funding arrangements, as well as the need to work in collaboration with the High Speed 2 project at Euston Station (which has a direct impact on these roads). This is a complex part of the road network where TfL need to carefully balance the needs of all road users.
TfL’s approach is to prioritise the most safety critical elements. Schemes will be accelerated where feasible.

Accessibility of London streets during recovery

Siân Berry: The campaign organisation Transport for All has had to write to Westminster Council complaining that newly licensed outdoor dining areas on streets have blocked access to people using wheelchairs and made them difficult for others to use safely. What guidance has Transport for London (TfL) provided to ensure that much-needed outdoor space for London’s bars and restaurants actually improves accessibility both to businesses and for passing through these areas?

The Mayor: Transport for London’s (TfL)Streetscapeguidance sets out considerations for boroughs when considering footway amenities including outdoor seating. It is available here: https://content.tfl.gov.uk/streetscape-guidance-.pdf
TfL has also recently issued separate guidance for the implementationof temporary and experimental schemes, available here: https://content.tfl.gov.uk/interim-guidance-for-delivery-using-temporary-and-experimental-schemes-march-2021.pdf. This document references the Pave the Way report issued by Transport for All and reminds boroughs of their public sector equality duty to consider the impacts on those with protected characteristics and to engage with them when developing a scheme.

New Providence Wharf Fire (2)

Anne Clarke: What fire safety advice was given to residents in New Providence Wharf in order to prevent a fire from starting? Do you know how this was communicated and who it was communicated by?

The Mayor: London Fire Brigade (LFB) delivers preventative advice in a range of different ways including Home Fire Safety Visits, leaflets and on their social media channels. During the pandemic, this advice was tailored to stay relevant and was updated to reflect new and increased risks associated with lifestyle changes due to Covid-19 - for example, more people working from home.
Following the fire at New Providence Wharf, LFB distributed leaflets with safety advice to residents and all the surrounding blocks. The Brigade also heldtwo online events with residents of Block D which included giving advice on additional fire safety messages and signposting to LFB’s online Home Fire Safety Checker and Home Fire Safety Visits.
The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 does not require the Responsible Person to give preventative fire safety advice to residents that covers the inside of their own dwelling though they do have to supply residents with information regarding the fire strategy of a building and the emergency procedure within their building.

Improvements to public health from the ULEZ

Caroline Russell: What changes in public health are you expecting from the Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) extension, and to what extent are they driven by a change in use of modes of transport or by a reduction in pollution?

The Mayor: The main health benefits of the Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) are achieved through reductions in the adverse health impacts associated with exposure to pollution from vehicle emissions. The central London ULEZ has reduced these emissions by encouraging drivers to upgrade their vehicles or switch to cleaner alternatives such as walking, cycling or public transport. This has helped reduce toxic nitrogen dioxide concentrations in the zone by nearly half. Expansion of the zone to the North and South Circular roads in October will extend these benefits to millions of Londoners, both inside and outside the expanded zone.
Overall, my air quality policies, including the ULEZ and its expansion, are projected to avoid almost 300,000 new cases of air-quality related diseases and over 1 million hospital admissions Londonwide by 2050. They will also reduce the pollution “exposure gap” between the most and least deprived areas by 71 per cent and between the areas with the highest and lowest proportion of BAME residents by up to 85 per cent.

Impact of Expanding the ULEZ on Disabled Londoners

Tony Devenish: If you do go ahead with your expansion of the ULEZ in October, will you take up Action Disability Kensington & Chelsea’s proposal to allow disabled people with a Blue Badge the same exemptions for the ULEZ as for the Congestion Charge Zone?

The Mayor: MyTransport Strategy aims to reduce car dependency for everyone and includes policies to enhance London’s streets and public transport network to enable older anddisabled peopleto more easily travel. The bus network and the Dial-a-Ride and Taxicard schemes provide accessible transport options, including for those without access to a car.
I know some Blue Badge holders may need to rely on private vehicles. However, the Ultra Low Emission Zone is different to the Congestion Charge because only drivers of vehicles that do not meet the emission standards need to pay the charge. There is no exemption, discount or sunset period for Blue Badge holders for ULEZ because they can use a range of vehicles. Already four in five cars seen in the zone are compliant meaning most Blue Badge holders will not need to pay the charge. I have also ensured that recipients of most disability benefits are eligible for the car and motorcycle scrappage scheme. Additionally, drivers of vehicles with a disabled or disabled passenger vehicle tax class, and wheelchair-adapted private hire vehicles,are exempt until October 2025.

ANPR data sharing between Transport for London and the Metropolitan Police Service for an expanded ULEZ (3)

Caroline Russell: Has the existing Mayoral Delegation and Direction MDD 1439, published 27 January 2015 with regard to Transport for London (TfL) Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) data sharing, been updated to reference specifically any additional cameras installed for the ULEZ expansion prior to access being given?

The Mayor: In order to share any data from the new ULEZ Expansion ANPR cameras, a new Mayoral Delegation and Direction will be needed. Any new Delegation and Direction will require the completion of a satisfactory Data Protection Impact Assessment (DPIA) by the Metropolitan Police Service. See also my response to Mayors Question 2021/1443.
The existing Mayoral Delegation and Direction MDD 1439, published 27 January 2015, has therefore not been updated to reference specifically any additional cameras installed for the ULEZ expansion.

Traffic Regulation Orders (1)

Elly Baker: Please publish details of all Traffic Regulation Orders in London that have come into effect since the change in legislation in May 2020. Please include details of whether the TRO was permanent, experimental or temporary; when the TRO came into effect; when the TRO was cancelled (if applicable); the highway authority that applied for the TRO; and the name and location when the TRO applies.

The Mayor: Transport for London (TfL) processes a huge volume of Traffic Regulation Orders (TROs), with 1,700 in the last year alone. The information you ask for is not readily available in the format requested and it would be resource intensive to produce. TfL does not hold information about TROs made by Boroughs. However, I will ask TfL officers to contact your office to better understand your request and consider what information could be provided that would be helpful.

ULEZ Expansion (4)

Emma Best: How many ULEZ cameras will be on the boundary of the expanded zone?

The Mayor: Approximately 350 new cameras will be on the boundary of the expanded zone.

Government vision for cycling and walking by 2030

Siân Berry: The Secretary of State for Transport, speaking before the House of Commons Transport Select Committee on 3 February 2021, stated that: “we want 50 per cent of all journeys in towns and cities to be cycled or walked by 2030.” What progress has London made towards this target, and do you have the right investment available to reach it?

The Mayor: I remain committed to achieving the ambitious target for 80 per cent of trips in London to be made by active, efficient and sustainable modes by 2041, set out in my Mayor’s Transport Strategy (MTS). Increasing the number of trips that are walked or cycled over the coming years will be a key part of achieving this, and the MTS sets a target for all Londoners to achieve the 20 minutes of active travel each day needed to stay healthy by 2041.
In 2019, 7.5 million trips per day were made by walking and cycling, which accounts for 27 per cent of daily trips. In addition, 36 per cent of trips were made by public transport and many of these trips include walking or cycling as part of a longer journey. In 2019/20, 42 per cent of Londoners achieved 20 minutes of active travel per day, an increase of 3 per cent on 2018/19.
Between April and June 2020, we almost hit this 50 per cent figure, with 46 per cent of journeys walked and cycled in London, the result of changing travel patterns due to the pandemic and a drop in use of public transport.
I will continue to press forward with initiatives to enable even more Londoners to walk and cycle their daily journeys. However, achieving this and delivering the MTS relies on a long-term, sustainable funding deal between the government and Transport for London.

Speed Limit on TFL Roads (1)

Leonie Cooper: Can the Mayor tell me when all TFL roads will be 20mph limit? When will this be introduced in Merton and Wandsworth?

The Mayor: Within my Vision Zero Action Plan, I committed to introducing a 20mph speed limit on all of the Transport for London Road Network (TLRN) within the central London Congestion Charging zone, which was delivered in March 2020. In addition, I committed to delivering a programme to reduce speed limits at other locations on the TLRN to address areas of high road danger, delivered over the period until 2024. This programme currently involves the introduction of 20mph speed limits on 140km of TfL roads by the end of the 2024/25 financial year.
Through my manifesto pledge I have made a commitment to accelerate this work. Transport for London is currently developing a plan to set out how this work might be undertaken, following the outcome of its discussions with Government on the long-term funding support it needs as a result of the devastating impact of the pandemic its finances. This plan will include detail on the timescales for Merton and Wandsworth.

Taxi drivers supporting women who are victims of violence

Caroline Pidgeon: Has TfL considered offering training to taxi and private hire drivers to help identify and support the reporting of violence against women?

The Mayor: In addition to safeguarding communications already issued to licensees, Transport for London plans to introduce a number of additional training modules to taxi and private hire drivers later this year. This includes an interactive online presentation focused on safeguarding and the role licensees can play in keeping their passengers, including women, children, young people and vulnerable adults, safe.

Scrappage scheme

Leonie Cooper: Given the ULEZ extension this autumn, could the Mayor update me on any new scrappage scheme? Does he have any plans to increase the funding to help more Londoners and has he been in discussion with Government about a national scrappage scheme recently?

The Mayor: Please see my response to Mayor's Question2021/1567.

Increased physical activity as London recovers

Caroline Russell: What steps are you taking to enable increased physical activity as Londoners return to central London?

The Mayor: I am committed to leading London’s recovery to create a fairer city, rooting out health inequalities and enabling all Londoners to get the physical activity they need to be healthy. As we see a return in travel to central London, it is essential that we avoid a car-based recovery, which could result in a significant reduction in the physical activity levels of London’s population and worsen air quality for everyone.
That is why, through Transport for London (TfL) and the boroughs, we are enabling active travel through changes to our streets and supporting measures such as communication and education. This includes welcoming Londoners back to public transport; the average amount of active travel associated with a public transport journey is eight minutes for the bus and 15 minutes for rail.
Since the start of the pandemic, TfL has added 97km of cycling infrastructure to the network, with a further 19km in construction; installed 1,500 cycle parking spaces across London, with 2,000 more planned in 2021/22; and delivered 84km of 24-hour bus lanes on red routes. Furthermore, since the start of COVID-19 pandemic, TfL has also widened pavements on red routes with 22,500 square metres provided and trialled the Green Man Authority, which keeps pedestrian crossings green until traffic is detected. Looking ahead, TfL and the boroughs will continue to deliver schemes that help make walking, cycling and public transport more attractive and viable options for all travelling to central London.
TfL is also building confidence and reassurance in using public transport, in line with current Government restrictions, by ensuring that our network is clean, safe and reliable and actively communicating this with Londoners.

Idling (1)

Tony Devenish: How much enforcement does TfL do to reduce engine idling?

The Mayor: I have been re-elected on a commitment to continue to work with London’s boroughs and schools to tackle the scourge of idling. Through the Mayor’s Air Quality Fund I am already supporting an anti-engine-idling campaign spread across 30 boroughs, including a recent Londonwide awareness campaign.
Current legislation restricts powers to enforce against engine idling to the police and local authorities. Transport for London (TfL) does not have powers to enforce against engine idling. Given that existing regulations are not effective for enforcement against idling, TfL is focused on educating drivers and encouraging compliance, working alongside the Metropolitan Police Service’s Roads and Transport Policing Command. TfL Operation Officers have conducted joint operations in support of local authorities and with the police to engage with and educate drivers about the law relating to engine idling and the impact of engine idling on air quality and public health.

ULEZ charges on hired buses

Siân Berry: Will Transport for London (TfL) review their advice to Londoners to help ensure that those who hire vehicles such as buses for publicity activity, are fully aware of the charges heavily polluting vehicles will incur?

The Mayor: Transport for London (TfL) ran an information campaigns from 7 October 2019 to 31 March 2020 and between 5 October 2020 and 15 March 2021 to make Londoners aware of the tougher Low Emission Zone (LEZ) standards, which were introduced on 1 March 2021. This included advertisements in bus and coach trade publications and other commercial trade press making vehicle owners and operators aware of the LEZ and Ultra Low Emission Zone requirements. TfL also provides information about the LEZ, including options to meet the LEZ standards, the charge levels and a vehicle checker on its website at tfl.gov.uk/lez.
The BVRLA provides guidance on its website for vehicle rental and leasing companies on LEZ and other Clean Air Zones that have been or will be introduced shortly by cities in England.

ULEZ Expansion (6)

Emma Best: How much does each ULEZ camera cost?

The Mayor: The supply and installation costs for individual cameras vary because the complexity of the works to enable their installation depends on whether existing power supplies and street furniture can be used or whether new provision is required. The majority of camera supply and installation costs are in the range £10,000 – £15,000 although occasionally where locations are constrained the individual site cost can be higher.
The information about individual camera costs is commercially sensitive and if released would inhibit Transport for London’s ability to achieve best value during future procurement exercises.

Contractually-Mandated Safety Reporting and Monitoring Requirements contained in current Operating Agreement between TOL and TfL

Keith Prince: Internal TfL correspondence dated 6 June 2017 between the Legal Department and the London Trams Executive Team found in your response to question 2020/4632 states “the new version of the agreement has a much more robust provision on information supply but, of course, is still in draft.” Furthermore, in your response to question 2018/1718 you state "this safety monitoring arrangement is not an explicit contractual requirement between TfL and TOL". Please provide me a list of the Safety Reporting and Monitoring Requirements contained in the current Operating Agreement between TOL and TfL and the dates when these requirements were added.

The Mayor: The Operating Agreement is publicly available on the Transport for London website as noted in my response to Mayor’s Questions 2020/1100 and 2021/1954. Clause 12 sets out the safety regulatory requirements but there are other safety-related requirements elsewhere in the agreement. For purposes of a comparison I refer you to the three versions of the Operating Agreement on the hyperlink provided in Mayor’s Question 2020/1100.
The notice to TOL (see my response to Mayor’s Question 2021/1983) cited the following obligations:
(a) The Railways and Other Guided Transport Systems (Safety) Regulations 2006
(b) Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 2013
(c) Railways (Accident Investigation and Reporting) Regulations 2005 (Clause 12.1 and Schedule 8 (Operator Specification) Section 2 (Tramlink Safety System));

Air Quality at Clapham Junction

Leonie Cooper: Has Clapham Junction exceeded legal air quality limits yet in 2021?

The Mayor: No. The average concentration of nitrogen dioxide at Clapham Junction in 2021 (as of 17 May 2021) is 37 ug/m3 – this is below the 40ug/m3 annual limit. There have been no occurrences of the hourly mean concentrations above 200ug/m3 this year to date.
The PM10 average concentration for 2021 is 20 ug/m3 compared to the annual limit of 40ug/m3. There have been no occurrences of the daily concentrations above 50ug/m3.
Please note data is provisional and subject to change following ratification. The monitoring site is owned and operated by Wandsworth, and the data is publicly available here: https://www.londonair.org.uk/london/asp/publicstats.asp?region=0&site=WAC&la_id=&network=All&postcode=&MapType=Google&VenueCode=

Air Quality at Tooting Broadway

Leonie Cooper: Has Tooting Broadway exceeded legal air quality limits yet in 2021?

The Mayor: No. The average concentration of nitrogen dioxide at Tooting High Street (the nearest monitoring station to Tooting Broadway) in 2021 (as of 17 May 2021) is 29 ug/m3 – this is below the 40ug/m3 annual limit. There have been no occurrences of hourly mean concentrations above 200ug/m3 this year to date.
The PM10 average concentration for 2021 is 25ug/m3 compared to the annual limit of 40ug/m3. There have been 5 occurrences of daily concentrations above 50ug/m3, which is below the legal limit of 35 occurrences.
Please note data is provisional and subject to change following ratification. The monitoring site is owned and operated by Wandsworth, and the data is publicly available here: https://www.londonair.org.uk/london/asp/publicstats.asp?region=0&site=WAB&la_id=&network=All&postcode=&MapType=Google&VenueCode=

Air Quality at Putney High Street

Leonie Cooper: Has Putney High Street exceeded legal air quality limits yet in 2021?

The Mayor: Data from both monitoring sites at Putney High Street indicate the annual mean legal limit for nitrogen dioxide (NO2) is not currently being met.
Annual average concentrations of NO2 (to 17 May) are 53 and 48 ug/m3 – both above the 40ug/m3 annual limit. There have been no occurrences of hourly mean concentrations above 200ug/m3 this year to date.
One of the sites also monitors for particulate matter. The PM10 average concentration for 2021 is 21 ug/m3 compared to the annual limit of 40ug/m3. There have been no occurrences of daily concentrations above 50ug/m3.
Whilst concentrations at these sites are remain above legal limits, they have both reduced significantly, with annual mean concentrations being more than 50% lower than in 2016.
Please note data is provisional and subject to change following ratification. The monitoring site is owned and operated by Wandsworth, and the data is publicly available here: https://www.londonair.org.uk/london/asp/publicstats.asp?region=0&site=WA8&la_id=&network=All&postcode=&MapType=Google&VenueCode= and https://www.londonair.org.uk/london/asp/publicstats.asp?region=0&site=WA7&la_id=&network=All&postcode=&MapType=Google&VenueCode=

A More Natural Capital

Elly Baker: In the “A More Natural Capital” manifesto document a group of Environmental NGOs called on the next Mayor to “Develop a strategic plan to expand and improve the Walk London network with at least six new, high quality green walking routes, to improve connectivity, link green spaces, create greener streets, and help bring nature closer to people”. Can you outline your plans to better connect our parks and green spaces with each other and with local communities?

The Mayor: In my manifesto I committed to developing a new plan for connecting parks and green spaces with local communities and making sure these green routes are accessible for everyone. I have asked Transport for London to explore the potential expansion of the Walk London Network, including assessing where the need is greatest for new green walking routes. The London Walking Forum meets quarterly to discuss the strategic priorities for walking and will inform this plan as it develops.

Air Quality and the Expanded ULEZ (1)

Leonie Cooper: What impact is the expansion of the Ultra Low Emission Zone anticipated to have on air quality along the North and South Circular Roads?

The Mayor: I know this is a concern for people living, working or going to school on or near the boundary roads.
Before I signed the order to expand the Ultra-Low Emission Zone (ULEZ), Transport for London (TfL) looked at this question in detail. Their modelling showed that all areas of the boundary are expected to see improvements in pollution concentrations by as much as 20 per cent as a result of the scheme. This is because, in reality, few vehicles operate exclusively inside or outside of the zone so the majority of vehicles on the boundary roads will be incentivised to comply.
Real monitoring data on the central ULEZ boundary roads in 2019 has backed up this modelling and showed that air pollution concentrations had fallen at every one of the monitoring sites before the pandemic hit London.

Removal of Streetspace schemes

Siân Berry: I understand that a number of schemes funded under your Streetspace programme have been removed. Could you list which schemes have been, or are being, removed, including: a) the name of the scheme, b) details of its location, c) the amount of funding allocated, d) whether it is a borough or TfL scheme, and e) the date of removal?

The Mayor: Please find attached a table of schemes funded via the London Streetspace Programme (LSP) that have been removed. Note that the removal dates for borough-led schemes are approximate. Where borough schemes have been removed prior to completion of their statutory objection period (typically six months for an Experimental Traffic Order), the final funding allocation will generally be less than the amount initially applied for by the borough, and so may not match previously published funding announcements. The London Borough of Sutton are looking at bringing back some of the schemes they removed, but under a different process.
The table does not include removal of borough-led social distancing schemes, some of which were reviewed and removed earlier in the pandemic if it was agreed that they were not working as intended, or were no longer necessary. Transport for London (TfL) is fully committed to working with the boroughs to support active travel and enable social distancing and has reviewed all of its social distancing projects, amended some, removed some, and is still considering the future of others. TfL was allocated £10m of Emergency Active Travel Fund for TfL-led LSP measures, in the first half of 2020/21, which includes the projects listed in the attached table.

The Mayor: 1464 - removal of streespace schemes - appendix.pdf

ANPR data sharing between Transport for London and the Metropolitan Police Service for an expanded ULEZ (2)

Caroline Russell: What is the current data sharing agreement between the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) and Transport for London (TfL) with regard to the Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) cameras operating to enforce the expanded ULEZ?

The Mayor: The expanded ULEZ is not yet in operation. As a result, no data from the new cameras will be shared with the Metropolitan Police Service prior to the steps described in my responses to Mayor’s Questions 2021/1443 and 2021/1445.

Zero-emissions bus fleet

Leonie Cooper: When will TfL review their current plans for a zero-emission bus fleet by 2037 in line with your ambition for this to be by 2030?

The Mayor: Transport for London’s (TfL) plans for a zero-emission bus fleet by 2037 include options for bringing the date forward as far as 2030, subject to funding becoming available. This ambition has been reflected in TfL’s Financial Sustainability Plan at https://content.tfl.gov.uk/financial-sustainability-plan-11-january-2021.pdf.
While there will be no review of the position until a longer-term funding agreement has been agreed with the Department for Transport, TfL remains absolutely committed to pursuing a zero-emission fleet at the earliest practical and affordable opportunity.

Highbury Corner (6)

Caroline Russell: Thank you for your answer to my question 2021/0470. Constituents have written to me concerned that Highbury Corner continues to have a large flood on the surface taking up much of the new pedestrianised space. What actions is Transport for London (TfL) taking to clean up this flood?

The Mayor: Since my last response in February 2021 Transport for London (TfL) has been working to resolve the flooding.
Following an engineering assessment, a full clean of the drainage took place on 19 May and a CCTV survey was carried out in the wider Highbury Corner area to investigate any potential faults or blockages with the drainage pipes under the road. The preliminary results of the survey have now been passed to TfL’s engineering team for further assessment. Once this assessment is complete TfL will receive a full detailed report and will agree what further action can be taken.
In the meantime, TfL is monitoring the site and attending to pump out any access water after heavy rainfall.

Air Quality and London’s Road Charging Schemes

Leonie Cooper: You committed in your manifesto to monitor existing road-charging schemes to ensure they continue to bring the maximum benefits of improved air quality and reduced congestion. How will you do this and what would trigger an intervention?

The Mayor: London’s road user charging schemes continue to deliver significant benefits of improved air quality and reduced congestion to help improve the lives of Londoners.
The benefits of these schemes are monitored in a variety of ways, including quarterly reporting of compliance, bespoke reporting directly on the impact of the Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ), strategic reporting against the aims of my Environment and Transport strategies and in-depth analysis through key evidence and data sets, such as the London Atmospheric Emissions Inventory.
This ensures that the benefits for Londoners are sustained in the long term as City Hall and Transport for London work to deliver my ambition for London to have the cleanest air of any major world city.

Air Quality and the Expanded ULEZ (3)

Leonie Cooper: What air pollution hotspots will exist / are you most concerned about after the Ultra Low Emission Zone is expanded in October?

The Mayor: With the expansion of Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) to inner London in October and the tougher London-wide Low Emission Zone standards for large and heavy vehicles, 92 per cent of roads in London will comply with legal limits for NO2 by the end of this year.
Some locations will take longer to comply with NO2 limits. My officers are currently reviewing the remaining locations across London that are predicted not to meet legal compliance with NO2 limits after ULEZ expansion and identifying targeted solutions spanning Government, Mayoral and borough powers to address them quickly and effectively. This requires updated modelling due later this year.

Use of bus lanes by non-emergency patient transport service vehicles (2)

Elly Baker: Please provide details on Penalty charge notice issued by TfL to NHS patient transport vehicles and non-blue-light ambulances for using bus lanes. Please provide information from 2015/16 onwards, broken down by financial year.

The Mayor: As I said in my responses to Mayor’s Questions 2021/1599 and 2021/1600, NHS ambulances are permitted to use Transport for London (TfL) bus lanes but there is no exemption for patient transport vehicles.
TfL does not hold the information you have requested because it does not record the vehicle type when it issues a Penalty Charge Notice (PCN).

Improving London’s Red Routes (1)

Leonie Cooper: TfL’s Red Routes have high levels of air pollution and have been shown to be a major cause of health inequalities. Other than the ULEZ, what steps will you take during this term to identify and address improvements that can be made to improve air quality around red routes?

The Mayor: Expansion of the Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) is an important part of a wider suite of world-leading measures to improve London’s air quality, including: cleaning up London’s taxi fleet, reducing emissions from construction, action to promote the uptake of zero emission vehicles, electrifying London’s bus fleet and encouraging people to switch to walking, cycling and public transport.
Together, the expansion of the ULEZ and tougher London-wide Low Emission Zone (LEZ) standards will lead to 92 per cent of roads across London meeting legal limits for nitrogen dioxide (NO2) by the end of this year. Some locations on Red Routes will take longer to comply with NO2 limits. My officers are currently reviewing the remaining locations across London that are predicted not to meet legal compliance with NO2 limits after ULEZ expansion and identifying bespoke solutions spanning Government, Mayoral and borough powers to address them quickly and effectively. This requires updated modelling due later this year.

Traffic Regulation Orders (2)

Elly Baker: Please provide details on what a) temporary and b) experimental TROs introduced since May 2020 have been made permanent.

The Mayor: Please refer to my response to Mayor’s Question 2021/1592. I have asked Transport for London to contact your office to better understand your request and consider what information could be provided that would be helpful to you.

ULEZ (1)

Keith Prince: Do you have any plans to extend the Ultra-Low Emission Zone to the Outer London boundary, and if so, when would this be likely to happen?

The Mayor: I have no plans to extend the ULEZ to outer London.
In March I introduced tougher London-wide Low Emission Zonestandards for buses, coaches and lorries.
Combined with the ULEZ expansion in October, up to but not including the North and South Circular, this will ensure that 92per cent of roadsLondon-widewill comply with legal limits for NO2by the end of2021.Air quality on the remaining roads will be more effectively addressed through targeted, local measures.I believe that this strikes the right balance to deliver the biggest air quality improvements as quickly as possible.

ULEZ (2)

Keith Prince: A constituent has asked: can the Mayor of London explain to Londoners, what happens to all the revenue that is collected from the Congestion Charge, the ULEZ and the LEZ? He further asks how the Mayor justifies the fact that if people pay the charges, they are then allowed to drive around in London, polluting London’s environment?

The Mayor: I would strongly prefer all vehicles driving in the zone to be compliant with the schemes’ standards rather than pay the charge.
The daily charge for the Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) strongly incentivises the most frequent and biggest polluters to change their vehicle or behaviour while allowing for non-compliant vehicles that are only used occasionally and contribute little to overall pollution to still be used. In practice, compliance is very high and, as we have seen in the central London ULEZ, continues to grow over time.
Thanks to the actions of ordinary Londoners, we estimate that four out of five cars driving in the extended ULEZ area are already compliant.
Any net income from the Congestion Charge, ULEZ and Low Emission Zone is spent on improving transport in London, including roads, Cycleways, buses and the Tube, and making London’s air cleaner, in line with my Transport Strategy.
Transport for London (TfL) publishes details of income from all road user charging schemes in its Annual Report and Statement of Accounts, which is available on the TfL website at: https://tfl.gov.uk/corporate/publications-and-reports/annual-report.